Keeping in mind the vision and the mission of the school, various co-curricular and extra- curricular activities were organised for the students during the year 2019-2020. These activities gave them ample opportunities to widen their knowledge and enhanced their skills. Indeed these were an eye opener for them to discover themselves and to explore avenues so that they excel in their future. They were encouraged to exercise constitutional values every day and to promote ecological harmony. Outreach programmes gave a thrust to inculcate values like respect for elders, lonely and rejected in the society. They learnt to share with the deprived ones what they have and became more committed to serve the differently abled persons of the nation.
Apart from textual learning, the school organised annual day, sports day, exhibition of art, craft & science, competitions like debate, quiz, solo singing, poem recitation, drama, dance, elocution, floor art and drawing, also every religious and national festivals. We ensure every student participate in at least two competitions in the year apart from annual cultural and sports. We believe our vision of integral formation of students who build a harmonious and humane society will come true as they venture into the realities of life.
We wish our students all the very best and God’s abundant blessings!!!
“O Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting.” Chronicles 16: 34
As we the Sisters of the Good Shepherd celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our Foundation in Four Bungalows, Andheri (West), we would like to take you on a journey of our congregational history, our presence in India, our beginnings and developments of Good Shepherd ministries in Mumbai.
The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, commonly known as Sisters of the Good Shepherd was founded in 1835 by Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in Angers, France. As religious women, called to a mission of reconciliation, the Sisters of Good Shepherd express the charism of merciful love to uphold the worth and dignity of humanity . Today, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd are in over 74 countries around the world. In India since 1854, the sisters of the Good Shepherd continue the charism of Reconciliation through various ministries, preventing, protecting, and rehabilitating the vulnerable ones of society. Through prayer, witness and service, the Mission has expanded.
Good Shepherd Mission Partners comprising of staff, alumni, volunteers, benefactors, friends and our families, mutually share, support and develop the mission taking greater responsibilities to continue the Good Shepherd Mission
In November 2013, two Provinces were created in India – South West India Province consisting of Karnataka, Kerala and Delhi headquartered at Bangalore and Central East India/Nepal Province comprising 9 states of India including Nepal with its headquarters at Nagpur.
The Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Valerian Gracious met our Provincial Superior Sr. Francis Xavier and invited the Sisters to open a house in his Archdiocese. In 1964 the sisters started their work in Chembur. Since we needed a larger area of land to build a convent, School and a hostel we purchased a plot of land in Four Bungalows, Andheri (West) and shifted here in 1968. We started a school and a hostel for low income working girls. In 1971 the school was closed down since there was another school in the same locality. In 1985 the parish Church was built on the land given by Sisters of the Good Shepherd and was named as the “Good Shepherd Church’.
Our centre in Andheri (west) caters to the needs of domestic workers and slum dwellers. We are also engaged in various ministries such as a hostel for young working women of the low income group, Crisis Intervention Centre for women in distress and victims of domestic violence, Non formal education for women from the neighbouring slums, Life skill and livelihood training for adolescent girls and young women, sponsorship programme for deserving migrant children and empowerment programme for Catholic domestic workers.
Our centre in Andheri (west) caters to the needs of domestic workers and slum dwellers. We are also engaged in various ministries such as a hostel for young working women of the low income group, Crisis Intervention Centre for women in distress and victims of domestic violence, Non formal education for women from the neighbouring slums, Life skill and livelihood training for adolescent girls and young women, sponsorship programme for deserving migrant children and empowerment programme for Catholic domestic workers.
In 1992 we started a centre in Karjat to work among the Katkari tribals and in the year 1993 in Virar to work with the Varli tribals . We also have a centre in Bhiwandi which helps to rescue women engaged in commercial sex. We also run a day and night shelter for children of the sex workers in Virar as well as in Bhiwandi. In 2006 we started a centre in Goa to work with the migrants and against human trafficking.
As we thank Almighty God for His powerful support and blessing I take this golden opportunity to thank our pioneering sisters, staff and lay mission partners who have helped us to come this far to serve thousands of people through our four centres. If you have been touched by our relentless, restorative work, do help us generously to reach across to many more who need a healing touch. May Our Shepherd God continue to shower His choicest blessings on all of us. May the life and work of our Foundress touch the hearts of many and inspire them with compassion and Zeal to work for the salvation of souls.
What better way to celebrate our favourite day than sharing the voices and photos of women we are lucky to know, admire and support. Now more than ever as we face new challenges and threats, women are resisting rollbacks and raising their voices to get loud for human rights.
We began the International women’s day celebrations with the quote of Aung San SuuKyi “You should never let your fears prevent you from doing what you know is right”. This year International Women’s Day celebrations were very special. The topic was Anti HUMAN TRAFFICKING’”. The Resource person for the day was Mr.Damodhar Danaik. He was from MY HOME INDIA, an NGO who rescues street children and places them with their families. He shared his own experiences and showed clippings how the girls are lured into the trade. He also gave an example of how children are kidnapped from the school. The women were apt and they seemed to be shocked of what they were hearing.
Then we had a play by Hinduja College of Nursing students on the same topic, how
the girls and women are facing various problems.
BruhanHatya – killing the child in the womb
Chedchad - Eve teasing.
bhedbhav = Discrimination - Inequality
Manavtaskaru - human trafficking
Apharan - Kidnapping
Strategies
Create a safe environment for women
Gender equality
Educate the girl child
Dilase Also domestic violence, sexual, physical, emotional abuse.
The Women from the Jagruti group of the Project CHALICE sang a beautiful and meaningful song namely “Komalhai, kamzornehitu” “You are a softperson, but you are not weak. “ They sang very beautifully. All the 20 members were presented with a gift for their regular attendance for group meetings, update records and book keeping etc.
As the token of appreciation for all women, the Himalyan Product company, congratulated our women gifted them with their products of cream, oil and powder. The women thanked everyone and appreciated and wished each other
The International Women's Day on March 8th was celebrated in Good Shepherd Convent, Andheri, Mumbai making the women feel special in life. Sr. Pushpa welcomed all women encouraging them to achieve their equal status and fight against all odds. Sr. Mariam, Provincial Councilor was the chief guest for the programme and she thanked the Rotary Club Green city Mumbai, Vedanta foundation, the ALM of N. Dutta Marg, and the Lay Mission Partners for supporting the sisters in spreading the values of the "Good Shepherd" and prayed for God's blessings on them. She specially pointed out that "Women should not oppress women" but on the contrary empower and encourage each other.
The cultural programme included an awareness song on women sung by women under the guidance of talented and renowned musician Manohar Iyer. A team of young nursing students from Hinduja Nursing College, Mumbai staged two very impressive and humorous role plays strongly bringing out gender equality in place of work, how women are great multi-taskers and importance of education. The life of Savitribai Phule (wife of Jyotibha Phule) was also briefly enacted showing her pursuance in studies in spite of an early marriage.
The TP sisters who were present for the annual gathering put up a small skit on the importance of cultivating saving habit. St. Monica the Catholic domestic workers group performed a rhythmic tribal dance to the beats of a drum.
Thereafter Mr. Freddy Fernandes from an Insurance Company briefly enlighted the women on the importance of mediclaim.
Certificates were awarded to 32 students who had successfully completed the basic Computer course which was recently introduced. Some of the students came forward and shared their experiences.
The programme ended with the vote of thanks and every one joyfully singing together "Hum Honge Kamiya (We shall overcome). This was followed by a fellowship lunch.
Lifting the Slum Dwellers
Relentlessly the Sisters carry on against all odds. In Mumbai 70% of the population
live in slums. Slum dwellers in the areas where the sisters work are aware that
the cleanliness and hygiene they now have is because of the work of the Sisters,
even as their women and children are being helped onto their feet. More than 5500
families have been benefited.
The domestic worker in Andheri a feeling of family for the arms around the shoulders
they continuously feel. Crisis Intervention Centre handles cases of domestic violence
by offering counselling and shelter with the goal of rehabilitating women who undergo
such crisis and helping them lead a dignified life.
Sarita Working women’s Hostel
It’s not just another hostel, its real home away from home for low income working
girls. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd take care of their social, Psychological
and spiritual needs all under the eminent guidance of able warden sisters.
Liberation Through Learning
The eagerness to be equipped, the enthusiasm to learn a new language is there, but
it is here in the Convent, that the women find their needs addressed. They sit study
and go out of the walls of the convent a little more liberated.
A Stitch in Time
That the sisters teaching these women from the surrounding slums a skill: Teaching
them a profession and also helping them learn to save money by stitching their own
clothes.
Karjat, where Nature and Teacher work Together!
Nature teaches peace and calm, and Karjat where the school is located has such in
abundance, especially to these once battered children.
Here the Good Shepherd Convent School conducts their own classes and local children
are admitted. Many of these are tribal, who are first generation school goers. They
are quite, but slowly open up with children from Bhiwandi who are just opposite.
And a bonding takes place!
Here in Karjat is also the boarding where the children live together under the supervision
of the sisters. There is love here, big do of it and also a sanctuary for these
children. But they are also being prepared to start facing the world outside, and
under the guidance of their principal, they come out sterling. “But,” says the principal,
“there‘s many miles to go before we sleep..!
Lifting them up
The Katkari tribals are one of the three ‘Primitive Tribal Groups’ in Maharashtra,
caught in a vicious circle of poverty, debt and bonded labour, working in brick
kilns where they are cheated and exploited. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd based
in Karjat have started empowering the women by providing education to the children
specially girls. Now, with their efforts most families have obtained ration cards,
caste certificates, land documents and other important documents. And their economic
status has improved greatly.
Hope at Bhiwandi Centre
Enter the town of Bhiwandi, just outside Mumbai, and hear the dispassionate, machine
like, precision sound of the power looms, relentlessly making cloth for their business
masters. Just across same street, sit hundreds and hundreds of sex workers, waiting
for employees to come and enter their beds. And under their bed lie their children.
In the centre of this Red Light Area, is the Good Shepherd Centre where every day,
scores of these children come and spend the day, away from the distractions of their
mother’s trade. Initially the sisters went from shanty to shanty, cubicle to cubicle
for years till they built trust with the mothers, and showed them how important
it was for their children to have a normal childhood.
Here the children attend playschool, are taught, and given their meals. The sisters
educate the mothers through the children, and slowly but surely the cruel journey
from the beneath the bed to the top is stopping, fully, completely. But there’s
much left to do...
Introduction:
Good Shepherd convent (Bombay) Society has the following units namely Andheri, Virar, Karjat, and Goa. 20 sisters along with 64 staff and lay partners carry out the following ministries like play schools , Good Shepherd convent school, Chalice sponsorship programme, Community development programme for tribal women and children, Prevention of Human Trafficking among children and women at Bhiwandi red light area, Hostel for low income women, crisis Intervention centre, Residential care, Skill development programmes .
Community development programme for tribal community :
Activities:
Some other achievements :
Health check-ups : In all the units we had health check for children and
women. A Dental check was conducted for the people in Baradi in collaboration with
Faith Works in Panjim on 11th March 2018
CHALICE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME :
Activities conducted during this year under Chalice programme:
Psycho Social Care : Weekly individual and group counseling at Virar, and
Bhiwandi centers for all the children.
Activities carried out under Psycho Social Care:
Exhibition at Vasai:
Net working and liaison with other NGO’s. We work in collaboration with the other
NGO’s Like Social Action Forum of Vasai Diocese, Navjeevan, FPA “Justice and care,”
“International Justice Mission” and “Rescue Foundation.” These NGO’s help us in
rescue work.
Training for Staff
Net working with Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT) - Good Shepherd sisters
in Goa worked with Center for Responsible Tourism (CRT) at its very inception.CRT
is a social intervention unit on tourism of Arch-diocese of Goa and Daman. At Present
8 TMGs ( Tourism Monitoring Group) are active in 8 parishes/ Panchayats (Arambol,
Anjuna, Vagator, Calangute, Bogmalo, Utorda, Betalbatim and Carmona). Through the
TMGs following issues were addressed:
1. Issues related to Water-
2. Issues Related to Children.
3. Garbage.
4. Human Trafficking
5. Advocacy and lobbing –
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day was celebrated on 8th March 2018 in all the four units.
About 600 women participated in the programme. The programme comprised of a talk
on women’s rights, entertainment and games. The chief guest asserted that women
need to overcome their fears and stand up for their rights, look for solutions and
seek help when required. The last part of the programme was fun and frolic. A few
games were conducted, where the young and old participated and enjoyed thoroughly.
Good Shepherd Home - Karjat
This home caters to the tribal children from the far away villages who do not have
any facilities to continue their education. We had 36 children in our boarding during
the last year. We had children from the age group of 5-17 who went to a formal school.
We had 27 children going to Good shepherd Convent School and 9 children went to
Marathi medium school.
Some of the activities carried out during the year:
Sarita Hostel
Number of hostel girls: 35-45
Activities:
Hostel day celebration
Regular meetings
Christmas celebration
Shelter Home – Virar
No. Of Children- 25( report given above )
Good Shepherd Convent School Karjat tries to arrive at the words of St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier our Foundress on her understanding of education that “it is to develop to the fullest all that is best in the human personality psychologically, physically, intellectually, socially, aesthetically and spiritually” keeping in mind her favorite maxim that we should form strong characters of high principles grounded in truth.
Along with Academics activities the school gives ample opportunities to co-curricular and extra - curricular activities and organizes various events involving every student keeping in mind the motto of St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier ‘one person is more important than the whole world.’
No.of children: 745
No. of staff: 35
Activities conducted during the year.
ACADEMICS :
• Regular classes
• Unit tests
• Semester Exams
• Value Education
• Open days
• Field Trips
• Picnics
• Exhibition
• Social Services
• Scholarship Exams
• Elementary & Intermediate Exams
OTHER EVENTS:
Teachers Seminar
Parents’ Seminar
Students & Parents’ seminar
Staff Picnic
Through the above mentioned activities the students are motivated to unfold their
hidden potentials and thus become productive citizens of our country.
Good Shepherd Kids Play School Goa :
Total no. of Children: 15
No. of staff: 2
Play school – Virar
No. of Children- 17
No. of Staff- 3
Main Events held during 2017-18
• Teacher’s day
• Independence day celebration
• Diwali
• Children’s day
• Health camp organized for children
• Republic Day
• Study tour
• Annual Day celebration and prize distribution
CONCLUSION:
We thank the Almighty for His guidance and protection throughout this year to continue
the mission entrusted to us. We are grateful to mission partners, generous donors,
whose help enabled us to give a new life to many of our children and women, without
which we could not have accomplished our task.
International Women's Day in Mumbai was celebrated in a very grand scale. Before the actual celebration our women had prepared very well to celebrate this day in a very meaningful way. Each group had prepared banners, hand outs and role plays to create awareness on the rights of women specially the rights of Domestic Workers.
The celebrations began taking a rally around the main city of Mumbai shouting slogans about domestic workers' rights and the harassment faced at their work places. Some of the slogans were "we are asking for our rights but not begging from you all, give us just wages, holidays and other benefits like the organized sectors". Around 500 women took part in the rally walking in the scorching sun forgetting all their worries and raising their voices against injustice done to them. Our Nation cannot be called as developed, when the women are not given their equal rights. Without women's participation every work is incomplete, fulfill all our rights, empowerment of women is empowerment of Nation, and Stop violence against girls and women. After the two hours of rally they were served with refreshing cool drinks.
At 2.00 pm we had a public function. The local MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) Mr. Ameet Satam was the chief guest. Most of the domestic workers were migrants from different states of India. Since Mumbai is known as an economic capital there are lots of job opportunities: the families migrate from rural areas to Mumbai like city to earn their daily bread. The government has lots of schemes for women but they are not able to avail the benefits of it since they do not have the necessary documents. We specially called this MLA of our area so that he will help our women get the documents. He promised that he will do the needful for our women.
The Nursing students from P.D. Hinduja Nursing College put up a very beautiful and meaningful role play on gender equality. Our work experience candidates also had displayed a play on domestic violence and how they need to approach the police personal for help immediately. The members of Rotary club of Green city Mumbai had attended the programme and the President gave them a motivational talk on entrepreneurship for women to become economically independent.
Women took a pledge to support the other women when they are in difficulties and uphold one another Three women were honoured for regularly attending a non formal education centre and now are able to read and write after a year of hard work and great determination. In Mumbai day by day the violence against women and girls are on the increase. We had prepared a folder containing all the contact numbers of police and other Help lines and distributed to all the women " 24 Hours HELPLINE FOR WOMEN IN MUMBAI AND TO STOP! CRIME & VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & CHILDREN". When they are faced with harassment and difficulties they can approach the concerned authorities for help and support.
We also distributed the Helpline folders to our hostilities, student nurses of Holy Spirit hospital, St. Teresa's D. Ed College students and Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work students
The Women's Day celebrations created a great impact on the lives of all women who attended the function. They went home with the message of UN's theme for INWD 2016 " Planet 50-50 by 2030. Set it up for Gender Equality
Sr. Pushpa Louis
